stimulating nor depressing; it is employed purely for cleansing the
body. Every part of the body should be well soaped, and from ten to
fifteen minutes should be given to washing all the exposed surfaces.
The best time for such a bath is just before going to bed, though
there is no objection to taking it during the day, provided that two
hours have passed since the last meal, and that another hour is
permitted to elapse before one goes out of doors or undertakes anything
that requires exertion.

Prolonged hot baths are fatiguing. They draw the blood from the
interior to the surface of the body; and during pregnancy they are
particularly depressing. Vapor and steam baths have a similar action
and should never be taken without the consent of a physician. They
serve admirably for the treatment of rare complications of pregnancy;
but, like medicine, their use should be limited to cases in which
they are clearly indicated.

Unless disagreeable results are noticed, those who have become
accustomed to cold baths may continue to take them during pregnancy,
but others should not. If, however, the temperature of the water is
modified so that it will not produce a shock, no one need omit the
morning plunge or shower which most persons find invigorating.
Sponging answers the same purpose, for the intent of the morning bath
is not to cleanse the body but to arouse the circulation. A thorough
rub-down assists in bringing the blood to the surface of the body.
Bath and massage together thus constitute a kind of skin gymnastics
especially beneficial throughout pregnancy.

Although hot foot-baths have sometimes been thought to cause
miscarriage, there is no good reason for believing they ever do. Sea-